THE
WESTMINSTER
CONFESSION OF FAITH
CHAP. XXXI. - Of Synods and Councils.
1. For the better government, and further edification of the Church, there ought to be
such assemblies as are commonly called Synods or Councils; and it belongeth to the
overseers and other rulers of the particular churches, by virtue of their office, and the
power which Christ hath given them for edification and not for destruction, to appoint
such assemblies; and to convene together in them, as often as they shall judge it
expedient for the good of the church.
2. It belongeth to synods and councils, ministerially to determine controversies of
faith, and cases of conscience; to set down rules and directions for the better ordering
of the public worship of God, and government of His Church; to receive complaints in cases
of maladministration, and authoritatively to determine the same: which decrees and
determinations, if consonant to the Word of God, are to be received with reverence and
submission; not only for their agreement with the Word, but also for the power whereby
they are made, as being an ordinance of God appointed thereunto in His Word.
3. All synods or councils, since the Apostles' times, whether general or particular,
may err; and many have erred. Therefore they are not to be made the rule of faith, or
practice; but to be used as a help in both.
4. Synods and councils are to handle, or conclude nothing, but that which is
ecclesiastical: and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs which concern the
commonwealth, unless by way of humble petition in cases extraordinary; or, by way of
advice, for satisfaction of conscience, if they be thereunto required by the civil
magistrate.
CHAP. XXXII. - Of the State of Men after
Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead.
1. The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption: but their souls,
which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who
gave them: the souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received
into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God, in light and glory, waiting
for the full redemption of their bodies. And the souls of the wicked are cast into hell,
where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great
day. Beside these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture
acknowledgeth none.
2. At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed: and all the
dead shall be raised up, with the self-same bodies, and none other (although with
different qualities), which shall be united again to their souls for ever. 3. The bodies
of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonour: the bodies of the
just, by His Spirit, unto honour; and be made conformable to His own glorious body.
CHAP. XXXIII. - Of the Last Judgment.
1. God hath appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world, in righteousness, by
Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father. In which day, not
only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon
earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts,
words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether
good or evil.
2. The end of God's appointing this day is for the manifestation of the glory of His
mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of His justice, in the damnation of the
reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient. For then shall the righteous go into
everlasting life, and receive that fullness of joy and refreshing, which shall come from
the presence of the Lord: but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.
3. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of
judgment, both to deter all men from sin; and for the greater consolation of the godly in
their adversity: so will He have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all
carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will
come; and may be ever prepared to say, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen.
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PCA COF Contents | COF I - V | COF VI - X | COF XI - XV
COF XVI - XX | COF XXI -
XXV | COF XXVI - XXX | COF XXXI - XXXIII |
